A guide to folder structures for Unity 6 projects
In this article, we will look at ways in which you can organize the folder structure of your Unity projects. Written for Unity 6.
December 10, 2024
7
min read
Alienbrain alternatives for game art teams
Evaluate modern alternatives to Alienbrain for 3D and 2D pipelines, including previews, versioning, file locking, and reviews for Unity and Unreal teams.
Alienbrain is a specialized digital asset management (DAM) and version control system tailored for creative teams working on media-intensive projects such as game development, animation, and visual effects. Originally developed in the late 1990s by Germany-based NXN Software, Alienbrain quickly became a trusted solution for studios managing large digital assets such as 3D models, animations, and textures that require precise control and organization.
In 2018, Southpaw Technology, the creators of TACTIC, another leading DAM platform, acquired Alienbrain. Since then, it has continued to serve a niche audience of creative professionals, providing a system for handling complex asset workflows in collaborative environments.
Version control for Artists
Version control systems such as Alienbrain are critical for managing iterative workflows in the creative process. By storing multiple iterations of an asset as versions, artists can easily revert to a previous state or compare changes over time.
A version control solution designed specifically for artists should support large binary files, provide thumbnail previews of assets, include file locking mechanisms, support tagging, and have an easy-to-use interface.
Exploring Alienbrain alternatives
Despite its strengths, Alienbrain isn't for every team. Its interface, licensing costs, reliance on Windows, and lack of active development may present challenges. Times have changed and more modern solutions are now available on the market. For teams looking for alternatives, here are several viable options:
Anchorpoint
With a streamlined and intuitive interface, Anchorpoint is designed for both artists and developers. It offers essential features such as thumbnail previews, review tools, file locking, folder templates and more, making it a versatile option for creative workflows.
Git LFS
Git Large File Storage (LFS) is an extension of Git designed to handle large files. It's ideal for teams familiar with Git workflows, but its configuration requirements and less intuitive interface can present challenges for non-technical users managing binary assets.
Perforces Helix Core
Perforce's Helix Core is a high-performance version control system designed for large-scale development projects. It's widely used in game development and visual effects, but can be complex to set up and maintain.
SVN
SVN is a centralized version control system that remains a popular choice in industries that work with binary files. While reliable and straightforward, it lacks the distributed workflows and advanced features available in Git-based systems.
Unity Version Control
Acquired by Unity in 2020, Unity Version Control integrates seamlessly with the Unity engine and provides streamlined workflows for artists and developers. It supports file locking and provides a clear folder structure, making it a strong option for game development teams using Unity.
How to choose the right version control tool
When choosing a version control system for your creative workflow, it's important to evaluate your team's specific needs. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Support for large binary files
- An intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Automatic thumbnail generation for assets
- File-locking capabilities
- Additional features such as review tools, file tagging, and folder templates
By focusing on these requirements, creative teams can choose a version control tool that best fits their workflow and improves collaboration.
In conclusion, Anchorpoint is one of the top modern alternatives to Alienbrain for game art teams. It offers intuitive, artist-friendly version control with thumbnails, file locking, advanced asset manager features, and Git compatibility for most creative workflows.
Version control for artists
Anchorpoint is a Git-compatible solution for creative people that is extremely easy to use. Optimised for game engines and art assets.
Learn about AnchorpointFrequently asked questions
Can I migrate from Alienbrain to Anchorpoint or Git LFS?
Yes, you can migrate your history, but you will need to write a script to do so. Contact us for more details.
How do Alienbrain alternatives handle file locking to prevent conflicts?
Tools like Anchorpoint, Perforce Helix Core, and Unity Version Control offer robust file locking to ensure that no work is lost due to overwrites.
Are there free alternatives to Alienbrain for small teams?
Git LFS with GitHub is free for basic features, but for artist-focused features like previews and tagging, the free tier or trial of Anchorpoint serves as a scalable alternative.
Where to learn more
- A comparison of 3D asset management software for game art: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/a-comparison-of-3d-asset-management-software-for-game-art
- Asset management for 3D and Video Projects: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/asset-management-for-3d-and-video-projects
- A proper guide to game asset management: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/a-proper-guide-to-game-asset-management
- Remote workflows for creative teams: https://www.anchorpoint.app/blog/media-asset-management-for-3d-projects
